| If you decide to have your HVAC system | | | | contamination. |
| cleaned, it is important that the air | | | | · DO NOT hire air duct cleaners who |
| duct cleaning services you are inquiring | | | | make claims on the adverse effects of |
| is qualified to do so, so you can enjoy | | | | "not" cleaning your HVAC system, and who |
| a safe indoor air. | | | | is consistent in recommending that |
| Indoor air pollution is an issue of | | | | cleaning your system should be a |
| growing concern in the United States. | | | | routine. |
| Many companies, marketing products and | | | | · DO NOT allow treatments-especially |
| HVAC duct cleaning services intend to | | | | chemical biocides-unless you are briefed |
| improve this need. Its growing campaign | | | | by the cleaning service. |
| can be seen in mass media (newspapers, | | | | · CHECK REFERENCES if previous |
| magazines, TV, radio) and the Internet | | | | customers were satisfied with the |
| to disseminate information on the | | | | service and did not experience any |
| importance of cleaning air ducts or | | | | problems with their HVAC systems after |
| HVACs. | | | | cleaning. |
| Cleaning products can be used to clean | | | | · Contact your local office of consumer |
| air ducts - at a very minimum cost. But | | | | affairs or Better Business Bureau to |
| you should consider hiring air duct | | | | determine if complaints have been raised |
| cleaning services if there are | | | | against the companies you are |
| substantial and visible growth of mold | | | | considering hiring. |
| inside the ducts or other components of | | | | · Interview potential service providers |
| your heating and cooling system; if | | | | to ensure that they are experienced with |
| there are infestations of rodents or | | | | different types of HVAC systems; that |
| insects; and if the ducts are clogged | | | | they use procedures to protect you, your |
| with excessive amounts of dust debris or | | | | pets, your family and your home from |
| particles. | | | | contamination; and if they comply with |
| Duct cleaning refers to the "cleaning" | | | | NADCA air duct cleaning standards or |
| of various heating and cooling air | | | | NAIMA recommendations (if your ducts are |
| system inside your house: air | | | | constructed or insulated internally of |
| conditioning, grilles and diffusers, | | | | fiber glass). |
| heat exchangers, heating and cooling | | | | · Ask the cleaning service company if |
| coils - and cleaning it, intensively, | | | | they have state licenses. |
| will range (not mostly) up to $1,000. | | | | · If the cleaning company charges by |
| But this amount depends on the service | | | | the hour, request an estimate of the |
| offered, system accessibility, the size | | | | number of hours or days the job will |
| of the system to be cleaned, level of | | | | take including potential interruptions |
| contamination, and depending on the type | | | | during work. Be certain that the |
| of air duct cleaning service you are | | | | cleaning company you are inquiring will |
| hiring. | | | | provide a written agreement outlining |
| Choosing Your Home Air Duct Cleaning | | | | the total of the work before it begins. |
| Provider Checklist | | | | Duct cleaning is good for your home and |
| Talk to, at least, three cleaning | | | | air duct cleaning companies is a good |
| service companies and secure written | | | | source of advice so ask questions and |
| estimates. When they come to your home, | | | | insist on complete and knowledgeable |
| show them your system and ask | | | | answers. |
| justification of your air duct | | | | |